Chris Cook, double Commonwealth Gold medallist and Olympic finalist came into school to work with Mr Butterworth’s year 10 GCSE PE class last week. The retired swimmer’s loyalty visit coincided with an initiative, Sky Sports Living for Sport, that Greenfield Community College have signed up too for the fourth year in a row that uses sport as a tool to motivate and inspire 11-16 year olds.
Chris and Mr Butterworth team taught a pre-planned theory lesson on diet in sport. It proved to be a fantastic opportunity for the Greenfield pupils as it isn’t everyday they get to interact with an Olympic finalist in the classroom. During the lesson there were a series of engaging tasks focused around the key nutrients. Chris reflected on his commitment and dedication towards a balanced diet in order to help realise his dreams of becoming a professional athlete including the sacrifices he had to make along the way.
The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the lesson and were keen to inquire into Chris’s expertise and first-hand experience of maintaining a balanced diet by asking a series of questions throughout. In addition, it was particularly interesting for the pupils to look at Chris’s pre-Olympic final meal plan and recovery guidelines.
Chris found the visit extremely enjoyable commenting ‘it was a pleasure to come back to Greenfield as the pupils are always exceptionally well behaved, inquisitive and a pleasure to work with. It was great for me to be in the classroom putting my hand to teaching a topic that has been so important in my professional career and passing this advice and knowledge on’.
Greenfield look forward to the next visits from Sky Sports Living for Sport mentors after September.
